Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1543424
Read Across America March 2 is Read Across America Day, but educators can celebrate a world of diverse readers with CTA- and NEA-recommended books, authors and teaching resources year-round. California Reads books are a good place to start (see above); in addition, NEA offers an annual calendar with three books — one for young, middle grade, and young adult readers — featured every month. Check out nea.org/readacrossamerica. A March 2026 pick from NEA's Read Across America calendar New Year, New Reads S T A R T O F F 2 0 2 6 with a few good books for your students. CTA's California Reads initiative just came out with a new list of teacher-vetted books for all ages, including the three mentioned below. See the full list and get your exclusive 20% discount on all titles at cta.org/careads. With the Fire on High (Elizabeth Acevedo, author; grades 8–9) is a novel about teen mom Emoni Santiago, who balances the heavy responsibilities of motherhood and supporting her abuela. The kitchen is her only escape, where she creates magical and creative dishes. While Emoni believes her dreams of becoming a chef are impossible, her passion eventually demands to be recognized. An emotionally gripping narrative about resilience, familial love and the courage required to pursue one's talent despite immense challenges. What Do You Celebrate: Holidays and Festivals Around the World (Whitney Stewart, author; Christiane Engel, illustrator; grades Pre-K–3) is a kid-friendly guide featuring whimsical illustrations of traditions across world cultures throughout the calendar year. Fourteen holidays are showcased including Holi, Purim, Halloween and more. The book includes culturally authentic arts and crafts activities, such as a Brazilian Carnaval mask and Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival springtime poetry reading. A wonderful tool to introduce holidays and traditions in a meaningful way to young children. Schomberg: The Man Who Built a Library (Carole Boston Weatherford, author; Eric Velasquez, illustrator; grades 3–7) tells the true story of Arturo Schomburg, an Afro-Puerto Rican law clerk whose quest to correct historical narratives to include Black contributions stemmed from a childhood experience where a teacher claimed Black people had no history. He became a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, which celebrated living artists. But Schomburg also dedicated himself to uncovering the past, building a collection of African diasporic art and literature that was bought by the New York Public Library in 1926 and became the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. An inspiring read about the power of preserving one's heritage. 9 W I N T E R 2 0 26